KABUL - Afghanistan wants to buy military hardware from India, including used MiG-21 fighters, T-72 tanks, Bofors howitzers and equipment vital for command and control. But wary of upsetting Pakistan, the UPA-II government had told the Afghans that India would not be in a position to fly these equipment over Pakistani airspace for any repairs in Indian military establishments, sources said.

Consequently, the Afghans approached the problem in a larger geopolitical perspective, involving a deeper and simultaneous engagement with India, Russia and China. Russia was approached to supply Indian-funded military hardware to Afghanistan, resulting in the establishment of a complex triangular partnership. Reuters had earlier quoted Indian officials as saying that New Delhi had held talks with China, Japan and Iran to find ways to fund Afghan security demands, with a price tag of around $4 billion a year.

Seeking a special relationship with China, the Afghans want Beijing to invest heavily in their country, hoping that the Chinese will pour in enough economic and commercial stakes in Afghanistan, persuading them to play a stabilising role in the country.

Analysts point out that the focus of Afghanistan on India, Russia and China to fortify its strategic interests comes at a time of a sharp deterioration of ties between Washington and Moscow, and Russia’s growing relationship with China, anchored by a recent $400-billion gas deal. (Monitoring Desk)